In a landmark moment for India’s education and innovation ecosystem, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Buildathon (VBB) 2025 in New Delhi. The event witnessed the participation of over 3 lakh schools across the country — making it India’s largest synchronized live innovation hackathon for school students. During the inauguration, the Minister interacted virtually with students from PM SHRI Government High School, Khorda, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and commended the young minds for their enthusiasm and creativity.
Building a Viksit and Samriddh Bharat through Innovation
Addressing the students, Shri Pradhan extended heartfelt congratulations to the 3 lakh+ schools and millions of participating students for taking part in this historic event. He stated that initiatives like the Viksit Bharat Buildathon will help create new global models of innovation and solutions for pressing challenges. Emphasizing the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Shri Pradhan said that the nation’s future will be built by its young innovators.
He further added, “A Viksit and Samriddh Bharat will be built on the shoulders of our talented school students. Their ideas will power India’s journey towards becoming a global knowledge hub.”
Empowering Young Innovators Nationwide
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, praised the large-scale participation and said that the movement will significantly strengthen the innovative and creative abilities of students. He also thanked Shri Pradhan for his continuous guidance and support in making the campaign a national success.
Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Shri Deepak Bagla, highlighted that the Buildathon would transform innovation into a mass movement, connecting schools in remote villages with those in metropolitan areas, thereby democratizing access to innovation platforms for students across India.
Minister Interacts with Students in Delhi Schools
Following the inauguration, Shri Pradhan visited Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Delhi Cantt, where he observed student projects, interacted with young innovators, and encouraged them to remain curious and creative. He remarked that the passion and originality of school students reflect the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and that innovation-led education will play a defining role in India’s developmental journey.
Nationwide Participation and Innovation Themes
After the inauguration, a 120-minute live innovation challenge was conducted simultaneously across the country. Over 1 crore students from Classes 6 to 12 participated in the two-hour-long tinkering session, forming teams of 3–5 to ideate and develop prototypes under four themes:
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Atmanirbhar Bharat
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Swadeshi
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Vocal for Local
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Samriddhi
A highlight of the session was the “School Spotlights”, where more than 150 schools from remote regions, aspirational districts, hilly states, and frontier areas were directly connected to showcase their ideas and share experiences.
Nationwide Reach — State/UT-Wise Participation Snapshot
The massive outreach saw participation from all States and Union Territories. The leading contributors included Uttar Pradesh (78,206 schools), Maharashtra (41,198), Gujarat (20,017), Madhya Pradesh (18,129), Tamil Nadu (16,370), Bihar (15,732), and Assam (15,656) — showcasing the nationwide enthusiasm for innovation in education.
Inspiring a New Generation of Innovators
The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 marks a new chapter in India’s education system, where innovation and creative problem-solving are placed at the heart of learning. By involving over 3 lakh schools and 1 crore students, the initiative has truly ignited the spirit of discovery among young Indians, paving the way for a future-ready, innovation-driven nation.
